Nathan Smith: the Torquay fans’ viewpoint
Nathan Smith is expected to push for the Vale first-team after a hugely successful loan spell with Torquay last season. OVF asked Torquay fans for their views on the defender…
The Torquay Fans views…
His build, style of play and position…
At first glance I thought he was too “slight” to play centre half but he more than held his own against some of the “bruisers” in this league…
He has a slight build for a centre back but he’s still better in the air than you would think…
He played his first two games at right back, next eleven as left-centre-back in a 3-5-2 and thereafter a left-sided centre-back in a flat back four…
He was mature beyond his years with excellent positional sense and anticipation. He’s not as tall or physically commanding as many centre-backs, but decent in the air, tenacious and resilient. He is not slow, but I didn’t notice that he was exceptionally quick – his sensible positioning meant he didn’t get into the heroic cock-up retrieval scrapes that many lower league defenders do…
One thing not yet mentioned about Smiffy is his goal scoring capabilities. He managed to score some very important goals for us as part of the escape route. I particularly remember his overhead kick against Kidderminster…
His attitude…
His attitude is absolutely first class, in an absolutely dire season for us you could maybe have forgiven a young loanee for letting his head drop but this never happened once. Indeed I would say he showed more heart and desire than most of our own more experienced players…
Just to add that he won both player of the season and young player of the season! He had a top class attitude and just got on with things week in week out…
He came on to the terraces with us I loved that and I think that was a good indication of his attitude all season on and off the pitch… he gave 100% every time…
His attitude was even better than some of the players who were supposed to be ‘our own’…
Good player. Great attitude. A strong pre-season at his age and he may just do a decent job at League One for you…
However, a few words of caution…
Personally speaking I think it would probably be a jump too far, League Two yes but another years experience possibly before League One where the opposition will obviously be better quality…
I suspect he may struggle in League One next season but could surprise us all…
I think he deserves a crack at League football. League One may be a bit early for him but he certainly wouldn’t let you down…
I am thinking League Two for a year most likely to be his level for now, but I wouldn’t completely rule him out of contention at Port Vale for 2016/17. Your manager should take as long a look at him as he needs before making a decision to loan him out. Torquay United would love to see him back, I expect…